AREA OVERVIEW  

PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES  

RESOURCES  

REGIONAL NEEDS  

VISION AND GOALS  

EVALUATION PLAN  

ABOUT GCEDD

LINKS  

The Gulf Coast Economic Development District
The Gulf Coast Economic Development District (called the GCEDD or the “District”) is the federally designated economic development planning body for the 13-county Gulf Coast State Planning Region. The District has formulated this Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), in accordance with the requirements of the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) to provide a framework for regional economic development planning. This document can also be utilized as a resource for economic development information in the region.

Thank you for your interest in the Gulf Coast Economic Development District and the economic development programs of the Houston-Galveston Area Council. For additional information please contact:

Physical Address
3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120
Houston, Texas 77227
Fax: (713) 993-4503

Mailing Address
Houston-Galveston Area Council
PO Box 22777
Houston, Tx 77227-2777

2001 Board of Directors Roster
Membership: 34 Directors, with appointments made as follows: one representative from each county government; one representative each from the cities of Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, Galveston, and Texas City; one Director to represent the remaining home rule cities in the region, as appointed by the H-GAC Board of Directors; one Director to represent the remaining general law cities in the region, as appointed by the H-GAC Board of Directors; five citizen representatives appointed by the H-GAC Board of Directors; nine representatives of minority groups, selected in accordance with guidelines of the EDA.

Project Selection Process
For the implementation of EDA-funded projects, the local jurisdictions and agencies will be the initiating entity, with the District serving as facilitator. Job creation will be the primary aim of these projects and activities. Owing to the diversity of the region, which ranges from highly urbanized to rural areas, there will be a broad range of projects for which EDA support is appropriate, including infrastructure, technical assistance, planning and organizational development.

Opportunities for project development will also frequently arise on short notice. Recognizing that a quick response is often critical to successful project implementation, the GCEDD will use the following steps in project selection:   
1. Prospective applicant contacts EDD staff regarding potential project. Staff will assist in developing project proposal, if feasible.   
2. Meeting will be arranged between applicant, EDD staff, and EDA regional representatives to review initial proposal and determine if application is warranted.   
3. Applicant proceeds to complete EDA application requirements.   
4. Applicant contacts and receives letter of support from Chief elected officials (if local government).   
5. Applicant submits application simultaneously to HGAC for OMB A-95 review and to the regional EDA office in Austin. HGAC/EDD staff will review application for consistency with EDD goals and objectives. Applicant receives the A-95 review comments and a letter of support from the Gulf Coast Economic Development District, Inc.

Before the EDA can determine if a Public Works/Planning Grant project has met the requirements of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, the District requires a signed statement from the district's executive director or chairperson (or a designee) of the CEDS committee. The statement should provide the following information.   
1. Is the applicant an active participating member of the district;   
2. Is the project located in an eligible redevelopment area;   
3. Is the project consistent with the CEDS;   
4. Provide specific references to the CEDS report on how the project meets the CEDS strategy, goals and objectives;   
5. Provide a brief statement on when the district or area CEDS committee was notified about the project, and what specific involvement they had in developing the project; and   
6. A statement that the project selection procedures detailed in the CEDS report have been met.

EDA Grant Consistency Evaluation Process

The GCEDD CEDS committee will serve as the review body to determine consistency of potential EDA grant projects with the CEDS. The grant consistency evaluation process is described as follows:   
1. Request EDA direct all applicants to contact district staff during proposal development   
2. District staff will provide information to CEDS committee and attempt to clarify/rectify and questions/concerns with the applicant and forward results to CEDS committee   
3. Request EDA forward all proposals to District staff once they have been evaluated and a determination has been made to invite a full application   
4. Staff will forward to CEDS committee, request comments or questions within 3 business days   
5. Staff will forward any comments or attempt to resolve any questions with the applicant and forward results to CEDS committee within 3 business days   
6. If any CEDS committee member believes the project to be inconsistent with the CEDS strategy, they will notify District staff within 1 business day and a conference call or vote by e-mail or fax will be taken   
7. Staff will prepare a consistency/inconsistency determination letter and forward to applicant and EDA.

It is anticipated that, from time to time, project proposals will be submitted to address local or regional needs not identified in the CEDS. In these instances, the CEDS committee will determine whether the project is generally consistent with the overall goals of the CEDS and whether the CEDS should be revised to address the needs identified. The CEDS committee would make any such recommendations to the GCEDD Board of Directors.

About the Houston-Galveston Area Council
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is a voluntary association of local governments and local elected officials in the 13-county upper Gulf Coast region of Texas. The region served by H-GAC covers 12,500 square miles and has a population of nearly four million people. H-GAC was organized in 1966 by local elected officials after the passage of state enabling legislation. Currently, H-GAC has 149 member counties, cities, and school districts.

The economic development programs of H-GAC are administered by its Community and Environmental Planning Department. H-GAC’s economic development staff coordinate their activities with numerous federal and state agencies, including the Economic Development Administration, Rural Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration), Small Business Administration, Texas Department of Commerce and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. H-GAC staff also provide technical assistance on various community and economic development issues; including, planning, data collection, alternative financing and grant programs.

H-GAC also conducts a regional clearinghouse review of major federal and state grant-funded projects under the Texas Review and Comment System. This review is to ensure that projects are consistent with regional plans and policies, are not duplicative of existing programs, and are cost effective.

In order to provide a vehicle for long-term economic development planning at the regional level, H-GAC established the Gulf Coast Economic Development District.

About the Gulf Coast Economic Development District
The Gulf Coast Economic Development District (called the GCEDD or the “District”) is the designated economic development district for the 13-county Gulf Coast State Planning Region. The District’s primary functions are to (1) coordinate the economic development activities of the planning region, (2) provide technical assistance to economic development organizations of the region, and (3) maintain the region’s eligibility to apply for economic development grants and assistance from the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) provides administrative and operational staff support for the District. Their work is directed by the District's Board of Directors, which is composed of 34 representatives from local governments, businesses, economic development organizations, and minority interests. The Board of Directors meets quarterly, and the Board's six-person Executive Committee meets monthly.

The GCEDD was incorporated in the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation on June 10, 1988. Organizational work to establish the District was done by HGAC staff with partial funding through a grant from the EDA. The EDA officially designated the GCEDD as an Economic Development District (EDD) in January 1991, and the District became an IRS 501(c)(3) in 1995.

Comments or questions about GCEDD.org Web Site? Please submit your comments and/or questions to phorton@h-gac.com